The rapid spread of the new Omicron variant has renewed concerns over the COVID pandemic. From a single case on December 2, the country has till now logged about 1,900 cases. This came amid the much-needed respite that India got after being badly battered by the second COVID wave. As cases of Omicron are rising, so are the people’s queries regarding it. Being a fairly new strain, first identified on November 9 in Africa, a lot is still unknown. Several pieces of research are underway. But, with such a large number of people getting infected, they have several questions in their minds. And to get some of the most searched queries on Google regarding Omicron answered, Onlymyhealth spoke to Dr Mahesh Kumar Manohar, Consultant - Internal Medicine & Infectious Disease, Manipal Hospital, Pune.
1# What Is CT Value For Omicron?
Short for cycle threshold, CT value emerges in RT-PCR tests for COVID-19. It’s used to determine if you test positive or negative for the viral disease. A cutoff of 35 on the RT-PCR test is generally considered as having tested positive for COVID-19, which stays the same for Omicron as well. However, an important thing about the RT-PCR test for COVID-19 is that if a drop in S-gene is detected, it is generally extrapolated as being infected by the Omicron variant.
Also read: Omicron 2.7 to 3.7 Times More Transmissible Than Delta: Study
2# What Are The Symptoms Of Omicron COVID Infection?
According to a study conducted in the United Kingdom, the primary symptoms of Omicron infection are:
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Sneezing
- Vomiting
- A loss of appetite
If you experience any of these, self-isolate and get yourself tested for SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.
3# Is Congestion A Symptom For Omicron?
Congestion is a common symptom of many respiratory viral infections. It’s also seen with COVID infections. However, when it comes to Omicron symptoms, body ache, myalgia (pain in a muscle or a group of muscles), and fever are more commonly seen as compared to congestion, Dr Manohar said.
4# Sore Throat Is An Omicron Symptom. How To Manage It?
The sore throat was one of the symptoms enumerated by the UK study. It generally comes down once the virus starts settling, Dr Manohar said. However, there are several home remedies to manage sore throat, such as:
- Use some ginger and honey along with green tea.
- Do gargles with salt-water
- You can also do a betadine gargle, which is diluted with warm water.
- Keeping some cloves in your mouth is another remedy
- You can also use adusa for the same.
These are some of the home remedies to relieve the itchy sensation associated with a sore throat.
5# How To Manage Fatigue When Infected With Omicron COVID Variant
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Fatigue is a common symptom of many viral infections. It’s more common during the later stages of infection. To manage it:
- Drink enough water and frequently. Sipping water throughout the day can help you manage COVID-induced fatigue.
- You can also drink tender coconut water (nariyal paani) and fresh fruit juices. However, ensure you don’t drink these cool.
- Have a protein-rich diet to deal with fatigue. Having enough nuts is one way to do it.
6# Does Any Medicine Work Against Omicron COVID Variant?
Many medicines have shown efficacy against COVID. Antiviral drugs such as Nirmatrelvir boosted with Ritonavir have shown efficacy. Molnupiravir and Remdesivir have also worked well. Other than these, antibody cocktail made with Tixagevimab & Cilagavimab has shown good efficacy against COVID infection, Dr Manohar said.
Also read: After Omicron Variant, Israel Reports The First Case Of Florona Disease; Expert Explains
7# How To Protect Against Omicron?
The Omicron COVID variant was classified as a ‘variant of concern’ by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on November 26. It’s a heavily mutated variant with more than 50 mutations present in its spike protein, which the virus uses to latch on to the human cell. An extremely transmissible variant, it has shown to evade the immune response generated by vaccination and past infections, several studies have shown. Not just that, it’s 2.7 to 3.7 times more transmissible than Delta, a Danish study has shown. A virulent strain, Delta is believed to be behind the ferocious second wave that bettered India in April-May last year.
Hence, keeping your guards up is the best thing you can do. Here are some tips by the WHO to protect against Omicron:
- Wear masks: Dr Manohar recommends wearing a well-fitted N-95 mask. Although other types of masks can also help, these are not that effective as compared to N-95.
- Practise social distancing
- Stay away from crowded spaces
- Get vaccinated
- Take care of your hand hygiene
- Ensure proper ventilation
Although Omicron can evade the immune response generated by COVID vaccines, booster shots have shown good efficacy. The Centre has announced booters for frontline and health workers as well as those above the age of 60 and with co-morbidities. Hence, get boosted if eligible.
(With inputs from Dr Mahesh Kumar Manohar, Consultant - Internal Medicine & Infectious Disease, Manipal Hospital, Pune)